May 18, 2005

UM men’s basketball assistant coach named head coach at Margaretta High School

MOBILE, Ala. -- University of Mobile assistant men’s basketball coach and former St. Paul’s Episcopal School head boy’s basketball coach, Jon Stauffer, has verbally accepted the head boy’s basketball coaching position at Margaretta High School in Castalia, Ohio.

Stauffer, an Ohio native, spent last season as assistant coach at Mobile helping guide the Rams to a 30-6 season and a return trip to the NAIA national tournament.

Margaretta High School, a Division III high school, is just 15 minutes south of Stauffer’s home town of Sandusky, Ohio.

“I’m really excited to be moving back to Ohio which I consider home,” Stauffer said of the move. “This is the best possible move for me because I will be getting a chance to move back closer to family.”

Margaretta High School was the 2005 league champions as well as the sectional tournament champions.

“This is a perfect situation to step into,” Stauffer said of the program. “The high school is rich with talent and has a history of success. The former head coach has stepped down and has taken over as the school’s athletic director and so the program is in great shape.”

Stauffer worked under current UM head men’s basketball coach Joe Niland for five seasons both at the University of Mobile and Spring Hill College.

“I consider Joe (Niland) my mentor and he has been very instrumental in furthering my career,” Stauffer said of his relationship with Niland. “I consider him my friend as well as my mentor and I know he will continue to be successful in whatever he does.”

Stauffer will officially start on August 1, 2005.

“I am going to miss Mobile,” Stauffer said of moving back to Ohio. “I will miss all of my friends and it will be difficult to leave.”

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